PINEHURST, N.C. — Winning two majors championships can make any golfer’s career be perceived as special. Add a Players Championship and sinking the winning putt in a Ryder Cup and few could ask for more. But more will be asked of Martin Kaymer now that he has gone wire-to-wire to become the first German to win the U.S. Open.

When Kaymer captured the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits and later became the No.1 player in the world, he was 25 years old with a bright future. But then he began changing his swing and all but disappeared. He failed to validate winning his first major and didn’t make any kind of notable impact until he drained the winning putt on the 18th hole to seal the Miracle at Medinah and give Europe a come-from-behind victory over the Americans at the 2012 Ryder Cup.

That was viewed as more of being in the right place at the right time than something earned through his fortitude, though simply making the European team and that pressure-packed putt was an indication his golf game was in recovery.

But now he becomes the first player to win the Players Championship and the U.S. Open in the same year, accomplishing something that even Tiger Woods hasn’t done. His eight-shot victory never seemed in doubt after posting back-to-back 65s in the first two rounds. He finished 9-under par at Pinehurst after shooting a 1-under 69 on Sunday.

“I knew that I would play good golf again,” Kaymer said. “There was enough belief there. I just didn’t think it would take me that much time to get back.”

Now we’ll see if Kaymer disappears again or whether this is the springboard to an even more special career. We’re learning that not one player is going to replace Woods, who missed the U.S. Open because of injury. It will take a village. The more stars the better.

Kaymer is the only player who leaves Pinehurst looking like a star. The lack of challengers throughout the week is troubling. Pinehurst was there for the taking the first two rounds. But only Kaymer took advantage, posting a record 10-under par. When the greens and fairways firmed over the weekend, no one could apply any pressure.

Kaymer entered Sunday’s final round with a five-stroke lead and playing the final group with Rickie Fowler. But Fowler, who shot a 2-over-72, and Erik Compton, who fashioned the same score, never really mounted a charge and shared second place at 1-under. Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, nobody could put together enough birdies to make Kaymer start looking in his rearview mirror.

“For me the challenge was to keep going, to stay aggressive, make birdies, go for some flags, and don’t hold back,” Kaymer said.

Scratch your head about the inability of anyone to make a real charge over the last three days. But applaud Kaymer for playing solid enough to protect his cushion.

The pressure of sleeping on the lead for three straight nights never got to him. Neither did a crusty Pinehurst. This was his major moment, joining Woods and Rory McIlroy as the only players in the last 40 years to go wire-to-wire.

His performance over these four days was more impressive than winning the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, more meaningful than sinking the winning putt at the Ryder Cup and validated his victory at the Players Championship.

Now we wait to see if Kaymer is satisfied with what he has accomplished, satisfied enough to not be as hungry as he needs to be to become the No. 1 player in the world again.

“Some friends, they called me one-hit wonder with the majors, obviously in a funny way,” he said, “and now I can go back and show them this one.”

With Woods out of action because of injury and Phil Mickelson struggling with his game at age 44, golf needs more stars. We’ll see if Kaymer is part of the village.